Chapter 286

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, illuminating the blueprints spread across her desk. Her fingers traced the intricate lines of the design, a project she had poured her heart into for months. The phone buzzed, interrupting her concentration.

"Evelyn, we need to talk." Nathaniel's voice was tense, sending a shiver down her spine.

She gripped the phone tighter. "What's wrong?"

"Meet me at the penthouse. Now." The line went dead before she could respond.

Evelyn's stomach twisted. Nathaniel rarely sounded like this—cold, distant, as if the warmth between them had evaporated overnight. She grabbed her coat and hurried out, barely acknowledging Gabrielle’s concerned glance.

The elevator ride to the penthouse felt endless. When the doors slid open, Nathaniel stood by the window, his back to her, shoulders rigid. The silence was suffocating.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked, stepping forward.

He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. "I received a call from Isabella."

Evelyn froze. Isabella—his ex, the woman who had once held his heart. The name alone was enough to make her pulse race.

"What did she want?" Evelyn forced her voice to remain steady.

Nathaniel exhaled sharply. "She claims she has proof that our marriage is a sham. That you only married me for the Martin name."

Evelyn's breath hitched. "That's ridiculous. You know that's not true."

"Do I?" His gaze darkened. "Because lately, I’ve been questioning everything."

The accusation stung. She reached for his hand, but he pulled away.

"Tell me the truth, Evelyn. Did you ever love me, or was this all just a game?"

Her vision blurred. "How can you even ask me that?"

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. "Answer the question."

Before she could speak, the doorbell rang. Alfred’s voice came through the intercom. "Mr. Martin, Ms. Davis is here to see you."

Evelyn’s stomach dropped. Isabella had come in person.

Nathaniel didn’t hesitate. "Let her in."

As the door opened, Isabella strode in, her confident smirk making Evelyn’s blood boil. She held up a folder. "I think you’ll both find this very... enlightening."

Nathaniel took it, flipping through the contents. His face paled.

Evelyn’s heart pounded. "What is it?"

He looked up, his eyes colder than she’d ever seen them. "Proof that you’ve been lying to me from the start."

The room spun. Evelyn reached for the folder, but Isabella blocked her.

"Oh no, sweetheart. This is between Nathaniel and me now."

Evelyn’s hands clenched into fists. Whatever Isabella had fabricated, she wouldn’t let it destroy what she and Nathaniel had built.

But as Nathaniel’s gaze remained locked on the documents, doubt crept in. Had she already lost him?

Evelyn gasped.

"It's me."

Nathaniel's deep, gravelly voice whispered against her ear.

She exhaled in relief. "You're back already?"

"I promised you dinner."

"Let go first." His proximity unnerved her—especially his hands splayed across her bare stomach, the heat of his palms searing into her skin.

She squirmed, but Nathaniel's grip tightened. "Don't move. I just want to hold you. But if you keep wriggling..."

A blatant threat.

Regret flooded her. I'd rather melt than strip like this again.

She froze. Nathaniel traced idle circles on her abdomen. "Business trip. Only three days. Be good."

"Fine."

"Video calls. Every night."

"What?"

"How else do I read to the baby?" His hand lingered over her belly.

Evelyn scowled. "I'll manage. Now release me."

"Scared of me?"

"No."

"Then stay."

She clenched her jaw.

Nathaniel chuckled. "Silence means yes, Evelyn."

Ugh. He always twists my words.

The embrace stretched until Rosalind knocked, announcing dinner.

Evelyn shoved his chest. "Enough. I'm starving."

"Why the rush?"

"Nathaniel!"

He smirked. "You started this, walking around half-dressed."

"I was sweating!"

But he didn’t budge. Rosalind had discreetly left after setting the table, leaving them alone in the penthouse.

Evelyn huffed. "I’m hungry. And pregnant. This is cruelty."

"I know." His voice roughened as he spun her to face him, his arousal pressing against her. "But I’m ravenous."

Her cheeks burned.

Then he pinned her against the glass wall, and protests dissolved into breathless compliance.

He’s insufferable.

Frustrated, she bit his shoulder hard—until her strength waned.

Later, he carried her to the shower, then reheated dinner while she collapsed onto the bed.

She devoured the meal, shot him a glare, and yanked the covers over her head.

Nathaniel smoothed her hair. "Flight’s at midnight. Sleep. Call me when you wake."